Wrong hotel

We were originally booked for the Brisas Sierra Mar, but due to circumstances we were transferred to the Brisas Guardalavaca While the resort is beginning to show some of its age, it is well kept. Grounds are beautiful and the groundskeepers are very pleasant. Would not recommend this hotel solely because we prefer smaller resorts. This one was too big for our liking, and very busy.

Un très beau séjour

C'était notre 2ème fois Au Brisas Sierra Mar, un hôtel certes désuet et qui mériterait des rénovations, mais qui offre en contrepartie tant de qualités ! Un bémol pour commencer : vous ne trouverez pas de beau site de plongée immédiatement au Sierra Mar, il vous faudra aller plus loin en mer, prendre une excursion. La nourriture y est franchement bonne sinon variée. Beaucoup de légumes, de choix de viande ou poisson. C'est très correct. On ne trouvera pas poisson plus frais. Les [... read more] chambres sont correctes. Les employés sont incroyablement gentils ! Tous ou presque ! Les musiciens qui s'y produisent sont talentueux et sympathiques. Le paysage est absolument somptueux à toute heure, la longue plage - lorsqu'on sort des limites - est splendide, les hameaux environnants méritent qu'on s'y promène à la découverte de vrais lieux de vie des Cubains. C'est une zone rurale pauvre, les habitants proposent des échanges de biens et soyez préparés à participer à ces échanges (café, fruits, promenades guidées, contre vêtements, produits d'hygiène, etc.) Sortez du complexe et de vos complexes ! ;) Les excursions sont super. Celle à cheval vers la grotte aux chauves-souris et celle à Santiago. Voici une liste non-exhaustives de produits à apporter trouvables au magasin 1 dollar et + : linge, sacs durables et surtout sacs à dos à donner aux enfants, stylos, papier, savon, produits d'hygiène féminine, ciseaux. Vieux électroniques à réparer. Fil à pêche Cordes pour instruments de musique Boyau pneu de vélo

Friendly resort

Our first impression of this hill side resort as we climbed the 100 steps to our room was, "Great view, we gotta change rooms to a lower floor!" The following morning, thanks to Mercedes at the front desk, we were moved to an ocean view room a short, downhill, walk to the beach. The view was stellar! The beach isn't soft powder white sand, it's a bit gritty with some fair sized rocks so I'd recommend swim shoes (something I didn't have). There's a shortage of beach loungers and some are in n [... read more]eed of desperate repair, but we're not fussy and always found a shady spot under a palm tree to spend the day. We ate lunch on the beach each day so I have no idea what the lunch buffet was like The food, overall, was good but repetitive and for some reason there wasn't any cheese. We were told by a long stay guest there was cheese two weeks ago but none now. Reason unknown. The bars occasionally did not have certain drinks, so if you're a fan of Cuba Libres or pina coladas you were out of luck some days. However: you could drink the tap water at this resort!! Yes it's true. We did and NO ill affect and I can say that my partner usually gets some gastro trouble in Cuba but not this time. Our room was very clean and well kept but dated. So to sum up: dated resort, amazing location, wonderful staff, centrally located to Santiago and Chivirico (shopping, sightseeing). A lower end 3 star resort BUT we met so many retirees that book long stays (10+ weeks) that definitely says something about the resort staff and location. I would recommend this hotel for budget-minded travellers and those who enjoy venturing off the resort to truly get a feel for Cuba. If you are looking for a luxurious all-inclusive stay in a bubble Brisas Sierra Mar isn't for you. If you want to EXPERIENCE Cuba, not just visit,this resort is for you. My partner and I enjoyed our vacation and will go back again. But I know my friends, and they'd expect more than Brisas Sierra Mar had to offer which is the ONLY reason I answer "No, I would not recommend this hotel to a friend." I would recommend this hotel to travellers who want to know the real Cuba and its people.

Amazing resort

We love this place. A small resort,quiet and relaxing.The staff was anazing.This was our third time at the resort. We met fantastic people and will definitely return next year.?We were a little disappointed that the bogeguita restaurant was closed

Wonderful resort

Love this resort It's are go to place, The friendliest there and always see familiar faces Its to be recognized by some of the staff. Been to other resorts in Cuba but this one pulls at my Heart strings, I have no desire to visit any other resort in Cuba, the scenery will take your breath away

Needs work...

The hotel needs work, there are definite maintenance issues. Service overall is good. Sadly, my largest compliant would be the large amount of Cuban nationals that enter the hotel now. They have little too no respect or regard for anyone! They act terribly to be honest . Many of us (visitors) have been mistreated, and left disappointed.The staff seem to have little to no control over this. I do not recommend booking at high holiday times eg : christmas, st valentine.

Great scenery

I’ve been many places in Cuba and I keep returning to Sierra Mar because of its location. The mountains are beautiful. I cycle early every morning and return to the resort before it gets too hot and before breakfast ends. No Cuban hotel is perfect and there are challenges. Food is fine but it’s a country dealing with a blockade from the most powerful country in the world, now in the hands of a vindictive leader so it’s limited in its selection. Fruits and vegetables must be acquired loc [... read more]ally and must be in season. Don’t expect avocado and kiwi. Having said this, they should have guava and bananas but they only have it once in a blue moon. Rooms are fine. I’ve been given an ocean view room. Service depends on individuals; some are great at it, others don’t give a damn. Great beach to walk and swim. It’s safe to wander. Take a trip to Santiago, either on your own or with an organized group. Cigars sold by locals are not banana leaves as some may tell you. They may not be the brand the label says but they are Cuban cigars. Cubans need everything from electrical outlets to bicycle tires. Bring something to give away, not only toiletries and pencils. Both Sunwing and Air Transat are fine. Got stranded by both because of mechanical issues but Air Transat put us up in hotels instead of sleeping on the terminal floor. Weekends are busy with Cuban customers but there’s space for everybody. It might be a good time to book an excursion.

Love the Cubans, but.....

I love the resort and all the staff and have been going here for the last 4 years. The last couple of years they have been allowing some of the more affluent Cuban families come to the resort on the weekends and this year I am afraid it was more than just on the weekends. As I said I love Cuba and most Cubans, but I do not like the attitude of the more affluent ones that are allowed weekend passes or day passes. There are far too many and they are loud, rude and obnoxious and filthy. They th [... read more]row garbage all over the resort and they pile their plates high with food in the Buffet area. No one could possibly eat the amount piled on their plates and we have seen them put large amount of food in their bags or purses to take home. This leaves a shortage of foods for the rest of us They also take cups silverware and other things out in their purses. We get up the next morning and there are no coffee cups to have coffee. They also sit at in the pool at the pool bar all day and evening and not once do I see them get out to use the bathroom, so you know what is happening in the pool while they are drinking all day and never getting off their bar stools The poor staff are run ragged trying to keep up with everyone and they are not happy with the amount that are let into the resort. I do not feel this way about all Cubans. I visited 3 villages while I was there this year, as I had brought children's clothing to help some of those in need. These families are wonderful and so appreciative for anything. They also want to give us gifts of fruits they grow there. So different from the ones they allow into the resort. I am afraid I will be looking at other Cuban resorts next year as I cannot handle this one anymore. At one time I would have recommended this resort but not anymore.

Great Resort

Rooms were clean, staff friendly, food was definitely better than on our previous visits. Eco ala cart restaurant was excellent as usual. There is something magical about eating outdoors, in a lovely garden, with excellent and personal service by wait staff and chef, with only 4 tables. NOT TO BE MISSED, if you have the chance.

As good as always

We were in Brisas Sierra Mar February 5 to 12. Resort was as good as always (it was our 5th vacation here). First 3 days there were waves, preventing us from snorkeling, so we played volleyball in the pool 10-12 and 3-5 pm. It was fun. The last 3 days water was clear and we were snorkeling for hours each day. Food was good - lot of salmon, shrimps, calamari. Pork and chicken were very good, as always. No fruit due to problems with had in Cuba, but we traded our old clothes with fruit with loca [... read more]l guys. Walk to the waterfall was great, we came there twice. Staff was very helpful. Ana from beach restaurant El Yarey makes best Spanish coffee. We enjoyed our vacation.

Amazing scenery, friendly staff,

A great place with spectacular scenery. The staff is trying very hard to keep everything working properly. With no help from the Government, who runs the place, it is almost impossible. It needs work everywhere. Do not expect to get 5 stars for a 3 star price. You get what you pay for. The people that work there are all outstanding. The music around the pool area could be a little less loud, but they listen and turn it down when told. On weekends they have some Cuban Familie [... read more]s as guests. Sometimes that is a disaster. They are throwing their garbage, empty plastic cups etc. everywhere. They are very loud and it's understandable since it probably doesn't happen often in their lives that they can stay a day with free drinks and food. Sadly, there are no salt and pepper shakers left after their visits and forks and knifes also disappear. One of the bartenders went all over the place to find 2 glasses because he is responsible for them. If missing, he has to pay for them. There are shortages everywhere, but that is Cuba. The people working at Brisas go out of their way to please the guests. We missed the fresh fruit that we had in the past. It's almost gone. Even Bananas and oranges are in short supply lately. Fish very rare. Papayas we had on only three days in four weeks. The wine and beer is good.

Lovely location!

The Brisas Sierra Mar is in a lovely location and the weather is warmer at this time of year than the more northern resorts in Cuba which we have also visited. The people are friendly and as resourceful as they can be. The embargoes placed on them by the US have created shortages. The food is average and adequate but we return there because of the weather and feeling safe even outside the resort. There was a problem with people reserving beach chairs- even the evening before. The music was gre [... read more]at and there were lots of activities if one wished to participate. We went to salsa dance on the wrong day and one of the animators found someone who gave us a shortened lesson simply as a goodwill measure. We had many wonderful hikes through the countryside. There were seven of us and we were well looked after by the staff so we had a lovely time at the resort.

GREAT TIME !!!

The hotel is dated but very relaxing. Great showers, clean towels every day, good variety of food at buffet, great beach nd good snorkling. Second time there and will be returning again because of the weather. Nice guests from all different places. Staff friendly and great music. Sunwing reps need to be more informative at info sessions concerning things-ex: can you drink the water? , excursions, money exchange. etc. Will be returning next year !!!

Good Value for the $$

The hotel itself is situated I'm a very nice piece of property overlooking the ocean the beach was good some weedy spots but you and navigate around them. When area of improvement will certainly be the beach chairs there was never enough of them and they look like the original chairs from when the resort was built in 1991! The food was good and overall the service was also good. I would come back here

Tired but beautiful geography!

The grounds and surrounding area were beautiful! The hotel was very dated and beds and pillows not the best. Live music was frequent and excellent! There was a shortage of beach chairs which was the cause of some fighting among guests. Overall, the place would benefit from better management to ease tensions among guests. The beach was very nice and the staff were excellent. I would give the resort a 3 star rating.

Lovely Scenery

Our 3rd visit to this resort. We were pleased with almost everything - food and drinks were good, friendly personnel as usual. However, we have one huge complaint about the beach chairs (so did many of the other guests). Firstly, there are not enough chairs for the guests, and the chairs that they do have, half of them are broken or at the point of being unusable. It is very disappointing that nothing has changed with the awful chair situation since our first visit to this resort three years a [... read more]go. If we would recommend this hotel to anyone, it would have to be with a warning about the lack of chairs on the beach.

Short of beach chairs

This was my 5th time at this resort. As opposed to my past visits, this resort has slid a little downhill, figuratively speaking. There were nowhere near enough beach lounge chairs on the beach causing people to come down just after sunrise to put their possessions on chairs to reserve them. This did not always work. There was no orange juice, often no mango juice, no lettuce, often no cucumbers. However, there was a good variety of meats, root vegetables, and breads. One major change that  [... read more]affects smokers is the sudden change from allowing smoking almost everywhere to forbidding smoking in all rooms and at the main lounge. I understand that there are many people who do not smoke and who have difficulty with the contaminated air. However, they could have gone half way with smoking and non-smoking rooms and public areas.

Amazing nature ,that’s we like to come back

The place didn’t improve much since our last visit. We had some repairs done ( fallen head board, broken light switches) turning the light on head board fell down bruising my right hand. It took couple days to have it fixed. The last night we had rain water leaking on the hallway floor. BUT, nothing can beat the weather ! Very nice nightly entertainment. Very loud music by the pool .

Worst Trip Ever

First the airline. Sunwing plays with Canadian luggage. Our flight they lost nine bags the longest mine six days with no bathing suit only one pair of shorts one t shirt and no sandals. Oh compensation they give you a Visa card with money on it but only at store in hotel and in town but since your name was not on it could not use. I am 6 ft 7 in 285 lbs,they had nothing I could buy and card expired in 8 days,and elite ,you paid extra for this and luggage was to be first off. I had so much stress [... read more] from all of this I had a heart attack. Next the resort needs lots of work to be done but they do not do it. When Cubans came on weekend they stole cutlery,salt and pepper shakers plates glasses it was endless. They would even pick up food out of buffet then put it back. The weekends suck there was slime on top of water in pool. So bad would not go in pool. Will NEVER fly sunwing again,very disappointed. Good deal not to good hotel.

Relaxing Resort

Nice resort beautiful scenery and very relaxing the staff we're very friendly and very helpful , the rooms were a little bit outdated but work out ok. The service and the food was amazing overall I give it a four out of five would definitely recommend the Resort